Tell us what you thought of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’

I have no comment or opinion to offer here. I probably should watch the other films once again before diving into the new chapter because they’ve blurred together, frankly, at this point. But “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I” hits theaters this weekend and I’m sure many of you will see it, so come on back here and give us your thoughts when you do.

72 responses so far

I found it a fantastic adaptation that is really just for the fans. I mean, there are so many things that are not explained and wont be understood by anyone who hasn’t read the books or seen the previous movies, but then again this focus on not having to explain the tiny details allows the story to be in constant forward motion. I thought it was an A+!

I was a little disappointed by the movie. Sure it has some great moments but the whole middle section seemed to drag for me. Personally, I think Half Blood Prince was a great setup for a final movie and splitting Deathly Hallows in two wasn’t an artistic choice. That being said though, I am very excited for Part 2 and I think it could be one of the best in the series.

As for Oscar, I think last year’s Half Blood Prince actually had better cinematography and art direction. I wouldn’t be surprised if Deathly Hallows wasn’t nominated in either category.

Surprised you don’t mention Sound Editing or Mixing at all, SJG. That seems like one of the film’s stronger bets at a nomination.

As for the film, I liked it. Certain scenes are among the best in the franchise, those being the Deathly Hallows animation and the hilarious, “Brazil”-esque heist sequence on the Ministry of Magic. But really, this should have been one film. For what there is right now, though, it’s a good half.

I think it’s very good. MILES better than Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince.

The problem with these last few movies (for some) is that it’s more about vision, mood, & character, rather than plot.

I found the middle to drag, a bit. But I enjoyed the overall. I can see why some critics are low on the “well, it’s only Part 1, there shouldn’t have been 2 movies” blah blah, but I think it’s an advantage for us fans to soak in 5 hours, rather than 2.5.

Radcliffe, Watson (especially), & Grint have never been better. And though Desplat’s score is great, I actually liked how minimally you heard it. Many scenes go by without music, at all.

As far as noms go: I can see art direction, make-up, and visual effects as the strongest possibilities.

It always baffles me when people speak poorly of “Order of the Phoenix” the movie. Along with “Azkaban,” I feel that one is by far the best at balancing the heavy emotions with the whimsical levity, as well as having the most fluid pacing. It may also help that I didn’t care too much for the fifth book.

I love HP movies like the next guy here but brace yourself for no big noms now or last year. I don`t even think that WB would waste money on campaigning them or one of them in anything but visuals. Even with 10 BP spots.

The studio will campaign the s*** out of The Hobbit movies and TDKR, though, because The Hobbit is a prequel to Oscar awarded franchise and TDKR is a sequel to big Oscar controversy that is TDK snub. These movies are genre`s best bet for Best Picture. Which doesn`t lessen HP impact. It`s franchise like no other that had fans gwo up with the cast literally for 10 years (will be 10 next year). remarkable achievement all things considered – boxoffice, critical reception that never fell into rotten.

Well just like what everyone here said, it was a very solid film in all aspects… Though there were like couple of variations from the book, as a Potter BOOK-fan and a Potter FILM-critic, I must say it’s very rewarding….

My favorite of the books except for Deathly Hallows was the Order of the Phoenix, and I must say I didn’t like the film… Thought Yates was a bad choice.. he main problem of the film was the story and screenplay, Goldenberg really sucks in writing it… The saving grace of that film was the final 15 minutes where Dumbledore and Voldemort spectacle, plus the impeccable Art direction of Craig…

Then Yates recovered on Half-Blood Prince… Though lots of chapters from the book was chucked (The Gaunts, other Prime Minister, people who handed the horcrux, all those important back stories about the Horcux, Hogwarts carnage and the funeral) I get to leve the film.. Thanks to the ever great Art direction of Stuart Craig and the best of all Bruno Delbonnel’s brilliant cinematography that feel like every shot was a painting… Also the Music was a huge improvement, and I must say Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon deserves a nomination in supporting…

Now for this 1st part, the efforts was commendable.. Emma Watson deserves a nomination in an acting category, I just checked out WB’s FYC site and I think they campigned her for the Lead Actress category that makes her chances bleak.. I must say, this was a serious contender for Cinematography for Eduardo Serra , Art Direction, Visual Effects and the subtle musical Score of Alexandre Desplat…

In play is Sound Mixing and Sound Editing…

Longshot is Screenplay and Editing, Supporting Actress for Watson…

I really hope this makes it to the 10 BP nominees, it deserves the recognition…

And please NO nomination for Yates as Best Doirector, he’s not… Just wonder how greater this last 2 films would be if Alfonso Cuaron or Guilllermo Del Toro directed it…

And oh, I’m all for the Dathly Hallows animation… Such genius..

Hope Kris can take this film as a serious contender for the Tech categories…

It Sucked .
Wont win even one oscar , hope it does not have any noms either .
And in 2 years , it will be fully driven away from our memories .
Books were awesome , movies sucked hard [ except the first 3 ]

As a fan of the books, it’s hard to not feel frustrated at Yates’ disregard for important plot points. There is a lot missing in terms of the books from HP3 & 4, but the essential parts that serve the future installments were kept whole. Yates & Kloves have gone their own way, and while that isn’t a crime, they’re assuming they can tell the story better than Rowling. It’s obvious with the mess that was Half Blood Prince, they were wrong. So now I’m hearing that this is a faithful adaptation. If so, there are going to be a lot of non-readers confused. “Who is this guy?” “So Voldemort can fly? The Death Eaters have been flying around on their own the whole time?” “Who is this guy?”

Technically speaking, it’s once again top-notch. And while some might bemoan the lack of action in the middle of the film, I think it does a great job to highten the sense of overwhelming odds that the 3 heroes face, just as it does in the book. It’s a huge step forward for Yates & Co., but it’s a little too late for me to embrace.

I loved the books and the movies. When I read the seventh, it seemed obvious that one film would be insufficient to conclude the series. Luckily, I was right, and that just gives everyone more Harry Potter to watch. Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows was really great. It was brilliantly acted, the cinematography was breathtaking, art direction was spot on, film editing was spot on and near perfect, sound was incredible, the animation and visual effects were stunning, make up looked very nice, and the writing was very well done. Like everyone else, I feel it would have been in the best interest of everyone if a better, more capable, director had taken the helm. Come nomination time, cinematography and art direction are very likely, but it is a crowded year. Emma Watson is especially brilliant as Harry’s partner in crime, and will receive some sort of recognition somewhere that matters (i.e. not some sort of MTV accolade.) It won’t likely be nominated for best picture, but I’m sure if Part II is successful, that will be more of a shoe in. Really though, it’s a very great film. I can’t wait for next summer.

The events in Part 2 mostly happen at Hogwarts, so there won’t be that many new sets. We don’t know if he’ll even get nominated because Part 2 won’t be released during Oscar season. If they want to reward Stuart Craig for a decade of hard work on the HP films, it might be safer to give him an Oscar for Part 1.

I loved it. The acting of the kids has vastly improved. And it was without a doubt the best film in the series so far.

I am speaking as a dedicated fan of the books, but also as a critical movie-goer. So no- I didn’t just love it because I love the series. I enjoyed the other films, but had to restrain myself from tearing them apart and just take them for what they were.

In the case of this installment, however, splitting it into two parts was the best decision they could have ever made. It was much easier to follow for those who haven’t read the series, and much more faithful to the books for those who have. I am looking forward to part 2!